This is the second time today that I’ve seen someone online make reference to the Boogaloo group. Interestingly, the “Boogaloo” reference derives from a horribly campy breakdancing movie from the mid-80’s titled Breaking’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.
I’m certain there’s an element of both extreme right wing and extreme left wing interference in these protests.
I am not going to get into this debate, so I’ll say this and bow out, but I really disagree with what you are saying. By supporting big business, there is a definite pass-through effect. I know a number of companies (big) who increased salaries and employee benefits, were able to open more locations and employ more people and take some other initiatives as a result of the government policies. This attitude of “it’s only for the big wigs” is just not correct.
On the other hand, boosting already successful big business can allow them to more easily erect barriers to entry against new competitors, which could eventually trend their sectors to oligopolies or monopolies.
Your argument looks a lot like “trickle down economics”. However, since the 1970s, there has not been a lot of trickle down in practice, since the very top has gained most of the benefits of economic growth since then. See figures 1, 2, and 5 in https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/a-guide-to-statistics-on-historical-trends-in-income-inequality
Can anybody explain the connection with the old dance movie and protests? Is the movie popular with the group?
Watching the news, it’s a horrible combination of 1918 and 1968.
Hoping all stay safe tonight.
My city is imposing a curfew tonight in areas downtown, but I’m concerned this is just going to push the looters into other areas, not that it’s going to stop the insanity.
I’m not sure where I stand on all of this.
Looting and rioting are not ok, full stop.
However, I’ve also seen pics of police tear gassing protesters peacefully sitting, and then hit them with batons. Also not ok, full stop.
Seriously, it’s 2020. I didn’t think in the age of cameraphones I would ever see this in our (or any other democratic) country. I know bad behavior happens, but they are doing it out in the open for all to see. They are fanning the flames. You are supposed to protect and serve. Do your job.
I get that the peaceful protests like taking a knee were met with derision and not action. So I understand taking more forceful action. But I fail to see how destroying a small business owner’s livelihood accomplishes that. We are the ones who give time and money back to the community. I have no problem with disruptive protests, sit on the freeway and wreck my commute or attempt to get home and I will be frustrated but I will still support you. Violent and destructive cross the line.
Overall I’m disappointed in humanity.
Again, @ucbalumnus , can you take your political complaints to Reddit and let this thread be about what we are seeing in our cities?
8 police officers in St. Louis were injured last night. No arrests.
On Friday, 8 people in St. Louis were shot before the protests started. Just another day.
Our local Target is temporarily closed.
There has not been any local violence or protests that I’m aware of.
We do live in a economically distressed area; nevertheless makes me sad to think the corporation gave it some thought & concluded yep, better close that one.
I checked with my kid in WashDC, thinking for sure her neighborhood Target would be closed. Nope. Open.
@dadof4kids you expressed the way I am feeling very well.
@roycroftmom - it’s a strange tale and I read about it only recently. But I had seen photos of those men with AR-15’s who went into the Michigan capitol and I was wondering about the flowered shirts.
So… somehow an obscure web group wanting Civil War 2 took off with memes about electric boogaloo, because it rhymed. This was more than 10 years ago. They picked up big igloo, and/or big luau because they are homonyms, or nearly so. That’s where the Hawaiian shirts come in. There’s even a flag that showed up in Michigan, like a US flag but with an igloo where the stars would be and some of the stripes are flower prints.
Why do they do these thing? Who knows. But it probably helps them attract young people to their bloodthirsty cause.
It’s not just a few bad apples, it’s a systemic issue. And it’s not just about racism, although racism plays a role. This happened to a friend of a friend a few years ago.
https://■■■■■■■■■■/indian-thoughts/good-samaritan-backfire-9f53ef6a1c10
Interesting that you are not complaining about others’ political complaints (beyond mere reporting of anecdotal observations) in this thread.
Listening to a live LA radio broadcast late last night, the hosts were reading and discussing local antifa group’s social media and google maps instructions to direct people to where the police were not or had left.
They were trying to stay one step ahead. Very organized.
I hope everyone is staying safe out there.
I disagree. I don’t condone the looting, but I am trying to understand it. I’m not excusing the behavior.
I recommend reading Kareem Abdul-Jabber’s Op-Ed in the LA Times. He says “What I want to see is not a rush to judgment, but a rush to justice.”
While I do not at all condone looting, it strikes me that looting the Louis Vuitton store in Beverly Hills is a clear example of a call for racial and economic justice. It is the mom and pop store and other small business looting that really disturbs me.
THIS!!!
I think it is a desire to have fancy handbags that are overpriced
My BIL, the contractor, is at Union Square in SF boarding up the looted store fronts. He has police escorts. This is his second time’s doing this ‘job’. The, the first was after the break-ins at the beginning of the COVID lockdown.
SMH…um…it’s a clear example of taking advantage of a situation - because in the real world no one NEEDS that handbag.
At this point, the responsible, civic minded thing to do would be to stop the protests. The police and national guard are overwhelmed. There are not enough to deal with protesters and looters and the looters are getting away with destruction.
.
It surprises me that so many of you cannot see the connection here, but it is also interesting and informative to me. It is not snark when I say that I appreciate learning on CC how others think.